SOUTHWEST DIVISION
Last year’s champion: Huntington Beach, defeated Newport Harbor, 42-28
Top four seeds: 1. Corona del Mar; 2. San Clemente; 3. La Habra; 4. Villa Park.
Championship game: Friday, Dec. 6, site is TBD.
• 5 Predictions for the Southwest Division
*Teams listed in order of how they appear on the playoff bracket.
CORONA DEL MAR
9-1 overall, 5-0 Pacific Coast League (#1)
Outlook: How healthy are the Sea Kings? On paper, they have a talented nucleus that can contend for the Southwest Division title. CdM certainly has a championship-caliber defense led by senior defensive end Parker Chase. But on offense, both QB Peter Bush and RB Cole Martin have missed time with injuries. Their health will play a major role in the Sea Kings’ postseason run.
Player to watch: Parker Chase, Sr., DE. In a division loaded with explosive offenses and skilled quarterbacks, the Sea Kings star will have to continue to cause a ruckus in opposing backfields. Chase finished the regular season with 20 sacks.
Others to watch: Peter Bush, Jr., QB; Cole Martin, Sr., RB; Jaydin Moses, Soph, RB; Bo St. Geme, Sr., WR; Hoyt Crance, Sr., LB; Justin Hess, Sr., DL.
TUSTIN
6-4 overall, 3-2 Empire League (#3)
Outlook: The days of the double-wing offense are long gone. Filled with a number of athletes at the skill positions, Tustin tries to keep opposing defenses on their heels with its up-tempo offense. Defense is the area the Tillers need to improve. In league losses to Cypress and Valencia, Tustin allowed 41 and 39 points.
Player to watch: George Wilson, Sr., WR/DB. He hasn’t gotten as much attention as Cypress’ Quinten Pounds, but he’s equally as talented a player. The Utah-commit has great hands, can stretch the field, and is a shutdown corner on the outside.
Others to watch: Alema Pilimai, Jr., QB; Tyler Noble, Jr., WR/S; Elijah Asiata, Sr., RR/LB.
TRABUCO HILLS
6-4 overall, 3-1 Sea View League (#2)
Outlook: Mustangs first-year coach Tony Henney knows how to win in the postseason. In 2012 and 2013, Henney guided Nordhoff High to consecutive CIF-SS titles. He’s got an under the radar Trabuco squad that can compete for another championship this year. The Mustangs balanced offensive attack has steadily improved throughout the season, and it averaged close to 42 points a game in league play. With a load of talent on the other side of the ball, however, Trabuco will go as far as its defense takes it. The Mustangs were 0-4 in games when its opponent scores 17 or more points.
Player to watch: Jacob Breeland, Sr., WR. At 6-foot-5, he’s a nightmare matchup for defenses in the red zone. In Trabuco’s biggest game of the season – against San Clemente – Breeland caught 14 balls for 209 yards.
Others to watch: Jimmy Jacobs, Sr., QB; Chad Crosbie, Jr., RB/CB; Scott Kruger, Jr., LB; Colin Schooler, Soph., RB/LB; Brenden Schooler, Jr., WR/DB.
TROY
7-3 overall, 3-2 Freeway League (#3)
Outlook: The Warriors are a dangerous three-seed that will cause defenses headaches with its depth of athleticism at the skill positions. Quarterback Thomas Becerra has two of the better receivers in the division in Ryan Scotti and Dominic Vaccher, who can stretch the field vertically. The Warriors are also a battle-tested bunch, playing in six games this season decided by a touchdown or less. They went 4-2 in those contests.
Player to watch: Dominic Vaccher, Sr., WR/CB. Despite missing two games late in the season with a concussion, the speedster averaged over 20 yards a reception and led Troy in receiving yards (724), receiving touchdowns (9) as well as interceptions (5).
Others to watch: Thomas Becerra, Sr., QB; Dray Shaw, Jr., RB; Ryan Scotti, Jr., WR/DB; Alex Mamlouk, Soph., DL.
BUENA PARK
9-1 overall, 4-1 Freeway League (#2)
Outlook: From a strictly numbers perspective, Buena Park dominated the opposition this season, averaging 43 points a game while limiting opponents to 9 points an outing. The Coyotes preseason schedule was relatively weak though when comparing it to that of league champ, La Habra. Buena Park had just one game decided by less than 10 points this season – a 42-35 loss to the Highlanders. How will the Coyotes defense and their playmakers on offense handle the adversity they’re sure to encounter in the postseason?
Player to watch: Zach Taylor, Jr., QB. The first-year starter averaged over 370 yards of offense per game in the regular season.
Others to watch: Jaylinn Hawkins, Sr., WR/DB; Marcus Loudon, Sr., Running back; Max Rivera, Sr., Wide receiver, defensive back; Will Latham, Sr., Wide receiver, Defensive back; Cedric Dashiell II, Soph., Defensive end
CYPRESS
8-2 overall, 4-1 Empire League (#2)
Outlook: With a handful of exceptional athletes on the field, Cypress is one of the more exciting teams to watch play live. Quinten Pounds is a rare talent, but there are others too – among them Taylor Williams and Nick Buras – who make the Centurions a scary team to play. It’s hard to beat Cypress in a track meet, but the Centurions have struggled with teams who control the clock and play a more physical brand of football.
Player to watch: Quinten Pounds, Sr., WR/DB. The Washington-bound senior is quite possibly the county’s top playmaker. Pounds is a threat to score from anywhere on the field at any given moment. He’s an explosive athlete.
Others to watch: Nick Buras, Sr., Quarterback, Cornerback; Taylor Williams, Sr., Running back, Linebacker; Bobby Brito, Sr., Wide receiver, Cornerback; Logan Burt, Sr., Linebacker.
VILLA PARK
8-2 overall, 3-0 Crestview League (#1)
Outlook: Villa Park’s only real loss of the season came in Week 1 when it was trounced, 63-0, by Mater Dei. The Spartans other loss came via forfeit, but it technically has not lost on the field since the fiasco in their opener. Villa Park held opponents to just 12 points in the final nine weeks of the season and saw its offense improve as quarterback Anthony Navarro got more experience under center. The defense will be solid, it’s the play of the offense that’ll dictate just how far the Spartans can go in the postseason.
Player to watch: Anthony Navarro, Sr., Quarterback. The senior is just three weeks removed from a knee injury. His health is something to keep an eye on moving forward.
Others to watch: Ramon Chaves, Jr., Running back; John Stamos, Soph., Fullback, Linebacker; Lance Vecchio, Jr., Wide receiver, Safety; Xavier Hernandez, Sr., Linebacker
IRVINE
6-4 overall, 2-3 Pacific Coast League (At-large)
Outlook: The Vaqueros finished fourth in the Pacific Coast League with its three losses coming by 14, 2 and 7 points. This is a team that finds a way to stick around in every ball game. Irvine and Villa Park also have one common opponent this season – Esperanza. The Vaqueros beat the Aztecs by three points in Week 1, while the Spartans topped its league foe by three in Week 9. If Irvine can slow down the Villa Park offense, this could make for an interesting first round matchup.
Player to watch: Mikey Filia, Sr., Quarterback. The senior signal caller is averaging close to 150 yards passing a game in addition to being the team’s second leading rusher on the season.
Others to watch: Josh Gray, Jr., Running back; Jonathan Garcia, Jr., Wide receiver; Teejay Johnson, Sr., Running back, Safety.
LA HABRA
7-3 overall, 5-0 Freeway League (#1)
Outlook: The Highlanders won its eighth straight Freeway League crown this season, and it did so by scoring at least 42 points against each of its league foes. La Habra has one of the best backfield tandems in the Southwest Division in dual-threat QB Eric Barriere and bruising RB Carlos Martin. There’s no doubting La Habra can score points, but can they limit their opponents from scoring? The Highlanders defense allowed 35 points or more in 6 games this season.
Player to watch: Carlos Martin, Sr., Running back. The Highlanders workhorse is a load to bring down, especially late in ball games. He finished the regular season with 1,319 yards rushing and 24 total touchdowns.
Others to watch: Eric Barriere, Jr., Quarterback; Amon Fellows, Jr., Wide receiver; Maurice Barrett, Sr., Cornerback; Mike Wheeler, Sr., Linebacker.
CAPISTRANO VALLEY
7-3 overall, 2-2 Sea View League (At-large)
Outlook: This is the at-large team you do not want to play. The Cougars finished third in a strong Sea View League and its three losses on the season came against three quality playoff teams (El Toro, San Clemente and Trabuco Hills). This is a battle-tested bunch that has speed throughout its roster. The Cougars averaged 34 points a game on offense, and defensively they limited opponents to 14 points or less in five games.
Player to watch: Gavin Pruett, Sr., QB. The senior can sling it and he has a number of weapons on the outside. The Cougars have five receivers with double-digit receptions.
Others to watch: Adam Gordon, Sr., Wide receiver; Trevor Wise, Sr., Wide receiver, Safety; Jordan Bocko, Jr., Running back, Linebacker; Sam Drosky, Sr., Linebacker.
VALENCIA
9-1 overall, 5-0 Empire League (#1)
Outlook: The Tigers are not a flashy bunch. They’ll run the football, extend drives with the short to intermediate passing game and chew the clock with long, sustained drives. They play physical defense and tackle very well in space. Valencia knows exactly who it is, and it plays to its strengths.
Player to watch: Pat Godoy, Sr., QB. A three-year starter under center, Godoy is an intelligent signal caller who rarely turns the ball over and always plays within himself. He’s also extremely dangerous when he tucks the ball and runs.
Others to watch: Jake Watkins, Sr., Wide receiver, Cornerback; Will Van Dam, Sr., Running back; Darren Sandoval, Jr., Running back; Nick Coghill, Sr., Tight end, Linebacker
NORTHWOOD
7-3 overall, 3-2 Pacific Coast League (#3)
Outlook: A 14-0 loss to Corona del Mar is arguably the most impressive result the Timberwolves have on its resume this season. Coach Dean Toohey was more than pleased with his squad’s effort against the Sea Kings, and he’s sure to look for a similar type of showing in the first round.
Player to watch: Brian Abel, Sr., QB. The Timberwolves signal caller has thrown for five touchdowns in a game this season. He’s also has been picked off five times in an outing this year.
Others to watch: Andy Clyde, Sr., Wide receiver, Safety; Sam Aguilar, Sr., Wide receiver; Liam Akiva, Jr., Running back.
WOODBRIDGE
7-3 overall, 4-1 Pacific Coast League (#2)
Outlook: The Warriors have been able to grind out victories this season with solid play on both the sides of the football. They averaged just over 20 points a game, while allowing around 19 points on defense. Woodbridge is 4-1 in games decided by seven points or less. Since a 41-3 drubbing from Corona del Mar, Woodbridge has reeled of three straight wins headed into the playoffs.
Player to watch: Connor McBride, Soph., RB. You won’t see many backs bigger than the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder. He’s a load to bring down in the open field.
Others to watch: Michael Pritchett, Sr., Quarterback; Zach Kennedy, Sr., Wide receiver; Alex Young, Jr., Running back; Scott Patton, Sr., Linebacker.
FOOTHILL
7-3 overall, 2-1 Crestview League (#2)
Outlook: The Knights were thumped by Villa Park, 49-7, just three weeks ago. They responded with two of their best performances of the season, scoring 55 points against Yorba Linda then blanking Esperanza in Week 10 to clinch the Crestview League’s No. 2 seed. Foothill’s defense has been consistent throughout the season. It’s the offense that can be hit or miss.
Player to watch: Preston Moebius, Jr., QB. The first-year starter has had his ups and downs this season. His play will dictate just how far Foothill can go.
Others to watch: Jared Copeland, Jr., Running back; Chris Reem, Jr., Wide receiver; Dezmond Hodges, Sr., Running back, Safety; Logan Wetherholt, Sr., Defensive end.
SAN CLEMENTE
9-1 overall, 4-0 Sea View League (#1)
Outlook: San Clemente enters the postseason clicking on all cylinders. In its regular season finale against Aliso Niguel, the Tritons scored on offense, defense and special teams. While dual-threat quarterback Sam Darnold gets a lot of the attention, he’s got a great supporting cast around him. The Tritons, as a result, never scored less than 38 points in a game this season.
Player to watch: Sam Darnold, Sr., QB. The USC-bound signal caller is completing over 65-percent of his passes. In addition to throwing for 220 yards a game, he’s rushing for an additional 45 yards on the ground. The senior very well could be the best player in the Southwest Division.
Others to watch: Vlad Dzhabiyev, Jr., Running back; Jacob Russell, Sr., Wide receiver, Cornerback; Riley Whimpey, Sr., TE/LB; Max Lepley, Sr., Linebacker; Brandon Reaves, Soph., RB.
FULLERTON
5-5 overall, 2-3 Freeway League (At-large)
Outlook: The Indians will likely be without running back Josh Hill on Friday as the senior continues to deal with a lower leg injury. That puts the pressure on quarterback Andrew Tavarez and the Fullerton defense against San Clemente. Tavarez’s favorite target, Kaene Soto, hasn’t eclipsed the 100-yard mark since September. He’ll need to have a big game if the Indians hope to keep up with San Clemente.
Player to watch: Andrew Tavarez, Sr., QB. When given the time, Tavarez is a capable passer who has a number of weapons on the outside.
Others to watch: Kaene Soto, Sr., Wide receiver; Benjamin Pichardo, Jr., Wide receiver; Ryan Rains, Jr., Running back; David Wagner, Sr., DB/WR.
